I have been receiving numerous emails complaining about the missing features in TD Ameritrade’s Trade Architect which is suppose to be the replacement of Command Center 2.0 ; First of all let us start with the emails that I have received when I complained to TD Ameritrade about taking down Command Center 2.0

xxxxx [ name removed]

The platforms thinkorswim and Trade Architect are our new platforms, and they have replaced Command Center and Streamer, which are no longer available. The technology used to support Command Center and Streamer is no longer available, making the ability to support them impossible. Unfortunately, with the constantly changing technical age, these changes are required from time-to-time.

We know that adjusting and becoming familiar with a new platform comes with its frustrations and challenges. In efforts to help minimize those, we have assembled a team of experts on both these platforms. Almost all features available in Command Center are also available in these tools, but they may not be called the same thing. If you are interested, and want to help becoming familiar with them or just learning the tools and features that they have to offer, please call us at 800-669-3900 and we can arrange for someone to call you. We cannot accept those requests through an unsecured e-mail though, such as this one.

Sincerely,

xxxxxxxxx [name removed]

Client Services, TD Ameritrade

Division of TD Ameritrade, Inc.

——————————————-ANOTHER EMAIL——————————————————-

Good day. The Command Center 2.0 and Streamer Suite platforms are being drawn down and will no longer be supported. While we understand your frustration, we have worked to bring the functionality of those platforms onto our newer offerings. You may be interested to know that we have associates available that specialize in the newer thinkorswim and Trade Architect platforms. We can have one of these associates reach out to you directly to go over their features. This is a complimentary service we are offering to all clients. Simply let us know if you are interested. Thank you for choosing TD Ameritrade.

xxxxxxxxx [name removed]

Client Services, TD Ameritrade

Division of TD Ameritrade, Inc.

Original Message Excluded:

——————————————-FROM MESSAGE CENTER—————————————————

Mr. xxxxx, Thank you for contacting us. We are in the process of removing Command Center 2.0 from our programs as we no longer support or provide updates for it. This can cause problems with it if updates are made to other programs on your computer. As you noted, we have a new customizable program used for real-time trading called Trade Architect. There have been a number of updates and changes to Trade Architect if you have not used it recently. Would you like me to have one of our specialists reach out to you to help you get this program running and functioning in the same way you use Command Center 2.0? xxxxx [name removed] Apex Client Services, TD Ameritrade Division of TD Ameritrade, Inc.

——————————————-FROM MESSAGE CENTER—————————————————

Dear xxxxx, Thank you for your e-mail. I’m glad to hear that you have a good experience with the Command Center. I can also understand your concern regarding changing platforms. Command Center is becoming increasing incompatible with newer software and operating systems. Our Trade Architect developers are working to make sure that it will do everything Command can do. It is just a matter of getting used to how it works. If you need help with the transition I can have someone give you a call to help you. Just respond with a phone number and a time that you will be available. Regards, xxxxx [name removed] Apex Client Services, TD Ameritrade Division of TD Ameritrade, Inc.

The response and customer service and support at TD Ameritrade is excellent. However, I like to bring to their attention the missing features in Trade Architect which were available at Command Center 2.0 and these are essential features which are required by every stock or options trader.

TD Ameritrade Command Center vs Trade Architect

1) News FeederNews Feeder is missing from Trade Architect , which was present at Command Center 2.0 ! News Feeder which is very important for any trader to keep track of the latest news which will move the markets, where as there is nothing like that in Trade Architect. The News Feeder keeps posting the latest news around the world and if you click on it, a page opens up with the details of the news.

News feeder missing in TD Ameritrade Architect

2) Level II quotesInside box and number of sharesbox is missing from Trade Architect. Also, there the bar is missing which indicates number of shares.

TD Ameritrade Trade Architect Level II missing inside box

3) Pattern Matcher
There is no Pattern Matcher in Trade Architect although it is not essential tool, but would be good to have it.

4) Detachable Windows
In Command Center 2.0 you can detach the window and keep it one above the other, as the traders would like to keep an eye on all the possible data :

All the data in one place

As you have seen, all the detached windows could be placed next to the Watch-List
1) Trade Ticket
2) Level II quotes
3) Last sale
4) News Feeder
5) Index

Such an option is not available in Trade Architect. Not only that but
1) You cannot resize the windows or boxes within the Trade Architect like how you can do with the Command center 2.0
2) You cannot remove any box or Window or resize it according to your own needs
3) Data is not accurate like Command Center 2.0
4) Pretty slow as Flash/HTML and keeps loading up and not as fast as when I click on any tabs compared to Command Center 2.0
5) Multiple Level II windows cannot be opened and there is no such option. What if I like to monitor Level II for 5 Stocks, how can I do that in Trade Architect while this was possible at Command Center 2.0

Trade Architect needs major work

Explanation for the above marked Numbers
1) I don’t like to have the Window 1 and Window 2 , why can’t I remove it ?
2) How about if, I would like to re-size Window 1 and Window 2 , why can’t I do that ?
3) Resizing is very limited, if I like to minimize it, it is not possible
4) Volume Data is inaccurate, CAT volume was 1,035,850 which was truncated to 1M , why is that ? For low volume stocks like ULTA, ISRG , how can I keep track of unusual buys/sells if it is truncated as such ?
5) what if I like to keep the Order Entry open along with watch list and Level II quotes for the stock I would like to buy ?

These are just few points and I would like to see TD Ameritrade take this into consideration and develop the missing features which were available in Command Center 2.0 ; and lastly, with so many complains regarding taking down Command Center 2.0 / Streamer Suite , I have solution for them:

Solution for TD Ameritrade :

Leave the Command Center 2.0 as it is until Trade Architect gets all the functionality of Command Center 2.0 and layout becomes similar to Command Center 2.0 or Streamer Suite. This will solve all the issues. Please see this Post for more details [click here] https://tdameri.wordpress.com/2013/09/18/rescue-td-ameritrade/